Volunteer Guide: Difference between revisions

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* '''Facility & Vehicle Page Builders''' — Add and maintain infrastructure-related pages.

* '''Verification Team''' — Strengthen sourcing and review claims.

* '''News Tracking Team''' — Monitor local, national, and international news outlets for any reports of immigration-related incidents, arrests, abuses, deaths, lawsuits, or policy actions that should be documented in the database.

* '''OSINT Team''' — Analyse videos, extract screenshots, identify agents, read plates.

* '''FOIA Team''' — Submit and track FOIA requests.

* '''Data Entry Team''' — Assist with bulk uploads or structured data additions.

* '''Moderators''' — Pre-review edits and flag issues.

* '''Researchers''' — Gather background information on incidents, courts, statistics.

* '''Social Media Watch''' — Monitor platforms for new incidents and leads.

* More roles are likely to be added as the project grows.

Volunteers take initiative and choose the areas that match their strengths. Tasks will be available continuously as the database grows.

Volunteers take initiative and choose the areas that match their strengths. Tasks will be available continuously as the database grows. You are free to complete tasks outside of agreed roles, inform an administrator when doing so.

If you are not yet a volunteer, consider joining the team using our [[application form|ICE List Wiki:Volunteer]]

== 3. Working With Initiative ==

~~Contributors may pick~~ tasks ~~themselves~~. ~~Typical starting points~~:

Volunteers are encouraged to work independently and select tasks based on interest and available evidence. However, all work must follow the structured workflow below to ensure accuracy and consistency.

=== What Volunteers Should Work On ===

Volunteers should primarily focus on:

* Incidents

* Agents (named or unnamed)

* Facilities

* Vehicles

These areas rely heavily on factual detail and available media, and volunteers play a critical role in completing and improving these pages.

=== How to Pick a Task ===

The recommended workflow:

* Choose an '''incident''' or '''agent''' that is missing detail.

* Open all linked material: videos, screenshots, documents, court filings, social media evidence, or news articles.

* Use the available evidence to build or improve the page.

* New agents can be added by searching for their name and choosing to create the page.

This ensures that every contribution strengthens the overall structure of the database.

=== Building Incident Reports ===

When working on incidents:

* Summarize the event using only verifiable facts.

* Add dates, locations, involved agents, vehicles, and outcomes.

* Link relevant news articles, videos, and official statements.

* Ensure it is categorized under <nowiki>Category:Incidents</nowiki> and the correct state-level category.

If a news story or social media post references an event not yet documented, create an incident report by searching for an incident in the format of 'YYYY-MM-DD Incident title' then click create page.

=== Creating News Pages Using the News Template ===

When volunteers locate a news story:

# Create a page for that story using the '''News template'''.

# Include the title, outlet, publication date, link, and summary.

# If the story references a specific incident:

## Create (or complete) the associated '''Incident''' page.

## Link the news story to the incident.

News pages help track sources and protect against link rot over time.

=== Completing Unnamed Agent Pages ===

Some incidents involve agents who appear on video but cannot be named. In these cases:

* Create or complete the **Unnamed Agent** page.

* Add screenshots or still frames from the incident where the agent appears.

* Provide a short, factual description of their role in the event.

* Add relevant categories such as <nowiki>Category:Agents</nowiki> and the incident category.

Unnamed agent pages must never include speculation about identity.

=== Completing Vehicle Pages ===

Vehicles are often identifiable in incident footage. Volunteers should:

* Add screenshots showing the vehicle clearly.

* Document make, model, color, markings, and any unit identifiers.

* If a license plate is visible and confirmed:

* Rename the page to the format: **plateNumber_State**

(Example: ```ABC123_Texas```)

* Link the vehicle to all incidents where it appears.

This helps track enforcement patterns over time.

=== Improving Existing Pages ===

This remains an essential volunteer task:

* Add missing information.

* Strengthen citations.

* Clean up formatting or structure.

* Add related agents, vehicles, or facility details.

* Ensure categories are correct and complete.

* Browse categories such as <nowiki>Category:Incidents</nowiki>, <nowiki>Category:Agents</nowiki>, <nowiki>Category:Vehicles</nowiki>.

Even small improvements make pages significantly more reliable.

* Look for redlinks that need creation.

* Improve existing pages ~~that have missing data.~~

* Strengthen weak or incomplete citations.

* Add screenshots of unnamed agents where appropriate.

If you're unsure ~~whether~~ to proceed~~, leave~~ a ~~note~~ on the talk ~~page~~ or ~~message~~ an administrator.

=== When in Doubt ===

If you're unsure how to proceed:

* Leave a message on the page’s talk section, **or**

* Contact an administrator for guidance.

Working with initiative is encouraged — but always within the structure that keeps the wiki accurate, consistent, and maintainable.

== 4. Style, Accuracy, and Naming Rules ==

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* Is the information sourced?

* Are all statements factual, not speculative?

* Are categories shown using ~~<nowiki>~~ tags if needed?

* Are categories shown using tags if needed?

* Are dates formatted consistently?

* Are names spelled correctly?

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== 5. Your First Edit: A Step-by-Step Guide ==

'''1. Choose a task'''

Browse existing categories (e.g., <nowiki>Category:Incidents</nowiki>) to find a page needing work.

- Browse existing categories (e.g. <nowiki>Category:Incidents</nowiki>) to find a page needing work.

'''2. Open the editor'''

Use VisualEditor or source mode.

- Use VisualEditor or source mode.

'''3. Add or improve content'''

Follow style rules. Include citations for every fact.

- Follow style rules. Include citations for every fact.

'''4. Save your work for review'''

Your edit goes into the pending queue.

- Your edit goes into the pending queue.

'''5. Check back later'''

Admins will approve, clarify, or guide.

- Admins will approve, clarify, or guide.

== 6. Screenshot & OSINT Guide (Unnamed Agent Pages) ==

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Screenshots must avoid including unrelated individuals or private addresses whenever possible.

== 7~~. Verification System ==~~

== 7. Code of Conduct ==

~~=== Verified ===~~

* Supported by documents, video, strong reporting, or official statements.

~~=== Partially Verified ===~~

* Some evidence exists, but important details need confirmation.

~~=== Unverified ===~~

* Information is uncorroborated.

~~Volunteers help upgrade verification status by locating sources, documents, or supporting media.~~

~~== 8~~. Code of Conduct ==

All volunteers must follow:

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* Violations may result in removal.

== 9. Getting Support ==

== 8. Getting Support ==

If you need help:

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Questions are always welcome, especially on verification and sensitive cases.

== 10. Frequently Asked Questions ==

== 9. Frequently Asked Questions ==

'''Q: Do I need permission to start contributing?'''

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'''Q: Are edits anonymous?'''

A: Your username is visible, no personal details ~~required~~.

A: Your username is visible, no personal details are shown.

'''Q: How do I find tasks?'''

A: Browse categories such as <nowiki>Category:Incidents</nowiki> or find redlinks that need creation.

A: Browse categories such as <nowiki>Category:Incidents</nowiki> or find redlinks that need creation. If lost, ask an administrator.

----

Thank you for contributing to the ICE List Wiki. Your work strengthens transparency, documentation, and accountability.

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 * '''Facility & Vehicle Page Builders''' — Add and maintain infrastructure-related pages.
 * '''Verification Team''' — Strengthen sourcing and review claims.
+* '''News Tracking Team''' — Monitor local, national, and international news outlets for any reports of immigration-related incidents, arrests, abuses, deaths, lawsuits, or policy actions that should be documented in the database.
 * '''OSINT Team''' — Analyse videos, extract screenshots, identify agents, read plates.
 * '''FOIA Team''' — Submit and track FOIA requests.
-* '''Data Entry Team''' — Assist with bulk uploads or structured data additions.
 * '''Moderators''' — Pre-review edits and flag issues.
 * '''Researchers''' — Gather background information on incidents, courts, statistics.
 * '''Social Media Watch''' — Monitor platforms for new incidents and leads.
+* More roles are likely to be added as the project grows.
-Volunteers take initiative and choose the areas that match their strengths. Tasks will be available continuously as the database grows.
+Volunteers take initiative and choose the areas that match their strengths. Tasks will be available continuously as the database grows. You are free to complete tasks outside of agreed roles, inform an administrator when doing so.
+If you are not yet a volunteer, consider joining the team using our [[application form|ICE List Wiki:Volunteer]]
 == 3. Working With Initiative ==
-Contributors may pick tasks themselves. Typical starting points:
+Volunteers are encouraged to work independently and select tasks based on interest and available evidence. However, all work must follow the structured workflow below to ensure accuracy and consistency.
+=== What Volunteers Should Work On ===
+Volunteers should primarily focus on:
+* Incidents
+* Agents (named or unnamed)
+* Facilities
+* Vehicles
+These areas rely heavily on factual detail and available media, and volunteers play a critical role in completing and improving these pages.
+=== How to Pick a Task ===
+The recommended workflow:
+* Choose an '''incident''' or '''agent''' that is missing detail.
+* Open all linked material: videos, screenshots, documents, court filings, social media evidence, or news articles.
+* Use the available evidence to build or improve the page.
+* New agents can be added by searching for their name and choosing to create the page.
+This ensures that every contribution strengthens the overall structure of the database.
+=== Building Incident Reports ===
+When working on incidents:
+* Summarize the event using only verifiable facts.
+* Add dates, locations, involved agents, vehicles, and outcomes.
+* Link relevant news articles, videos, and official statements.
+* Ensure it is categorized under <nowiki>Category:Incidents</nowiki> and the correct state-level category.
+If a news story or social media post references an event not yet documented, create an incident report by searching for an incident in the format of 'YYYY-MM-DD Incident title' then click create page.
+=== Creating News Pages Using the News Template ===
+When volunteers locate a news story:
+# Create a page for that story using the '''News template'''.
+# Include the title, outlet, publication date, link, and summary.
+# If the story references a specific incident:
+## Create (or complete) the associated '''Incident''' page.
+## Link the news story to the incident.
+News pages help track sources and protect against link rot over time.
+=== Completing Unnamed Agent Pages ===
+Some incidents involve agents who appear on video but cannot be named. In these cases:
+* Create or complete the **Unnamed Agent** page.
+* Add screenshots or still frames from the incident where the agent appears.
+* Provide a short, factual description of their role in the event.
+* Add relevant categories such as <nowiki>Category:Agents</nowiki> and the incident category.
+Unnamed agent pages must never include speculation about identity.
+=== Completing Vehicle Pages ===
+Vehicles are often identifiable in incident footage. Volunteers should:
+* Add screenshots showing the vehicle clearly.
+* Document make, model, color, markings, and any unit identifiers.
+* If a license plate is visible and confirmed:
+  * Rename the page to the format: **plateNumber_State**
+    (Example: ```ABC123_Texas```)
+* Link the vehicle to all incidents where it appears.
+This helps track enforcement patterns over time.
+=== Improving Existing Pages ===
+This remains an essential volunteer task:
+* Add missing information.
+* Strengthen citations.
+* Clean up formatting or structure.
+* Add related agents, vehicles, or facility details.
+* Ensure categories are correct and complete.
-* Browse categories such as <nowiki>Category:Incidents</nowiki>, <nowiki>Category:Agents</nowiki>, <nowiki>Category:Vehicles</nowiki>.
+Even small improvements make pages significantly more reliable.
-* Look for redlinks that need creation.
-* Improve existing pages that have missing data.
-* Strengthen weak or incomplete citations.
-* Add screenshots of unnamed agents where appropriate.
-If you're unsure whether to proceed, leave a note on the talk page or message an administrator.
+=== When in Doubt ===
+If you're unsure how to proceed:
+* Leave a message on the page’s talk section, **or**
+* Contact an administrator for guidance.
+Working with initiative is encouraged — but always within the structure that keeps the wiki accurate, consistent, and maintainable.
 == 4. Style, Accuracy, and Naming Rules ==
@@ Line 65: / Line 150: @@
 * Is the information sourced?
 * Are all statements factual, not speculative?
-* Are categories shown using <nowiki> tags if needed?
+* Are categories shown using tags if needed?
 * Are dates formatted consistently?
 * Are names spelled correctly?
@@ Line 73: / Line 158: @@
 == 5. Your First Edit: A Step-by-Step Guide ==
 '''1. Choose a task'''
-Browse existing categories (e.g., <nowiki>Category:Incidents</nowiki>) to find a page needing work.
+- Browse existing categories (e.g. <nowiki>Category:Incidents</nowiki>) to find a page needing work.
 '''2. Open the editor'''
-Use VisualEditor or source mode.
+- Use VisualEditor or source mode.
 '''3. Add or improve content'''
-Follow style rules. Include citations for every fact.
+- Follow style rules. Include citations for every fact.
 '''4. Save your work for review'''
-Your edit goes into the pending queue.
+- Your edit goes into the pending queue.
 '''5. Check back later'''
-Admins will approve, clarify, or guide.
+- Admins will approve, clarify, or guide.
 == 6. Screenshot & OSINT Guide (Unnamed Agent Pages) ==
@@ Line 109: / Line 194: @@
 Screenshots must avoid including unrelated individuals or private addresses whenever possible.
-== 7. Verification System ==
+== 7. Code of Conduct ==
-=== Verified ===
-* Supported by documents, video, strong reporting, or official statements.
-=== Partially Verified ===
-* Some evidence exists, but important details need confirmation.
-=== Unverified ===
-* Information is uncorroborated.
-Volunteers help upgrade verification status by locating sources, documents, or supporting media.
-== 8. Code of Conduct ==
 All volunteers must follow:
@@ Line 135: / Line 207: @@
 * Violations may result in removal.
-== 9. Getting Support ==
+== 8. Getting Support ==
 If you need help:
@@ Line 146: / Line 218: @@
 Questions are always welcome, especially on verification and sensitive cases.
-== 10. Frequently Asked Questions ==
+== 9. Frequently Asked Questions ==
 '''Q: Do I need permission to start contributing?'''
@@ Line 164: / Line 236: @@
 '''Q: Are edits anonymous?'''
-A: Your username is visible, no personal details required.
+A: Your username is visible, no personal details are shown.
 '''Q: How do I find tasks?'''
-A: Browse categories such as <nowiki>Category:Incidents</nowiki> or find redlinks that need creation.
+A: Browse categories such as <nowiki>Category:Incidents</nowiki> or find redlinks that need creation. If lost, ask an administrator.
 ----
 Thank you for contributing to the ICE List Wiki. Your work strengthens transparency, documentation, and accountability.